Phoebe Philo to Helm Celine

Share

Aaaand she’s back! British designer and fashion-world darling Phoebe Philo has been appointed creative director of LVMH-owned Celine. Philo has been on hiatus — and missed — since she resigned from her post as head designer of Chloé in January 2006. The 35-year-old mother of two will officially start at Celine in October on her fall 2009 collection, which she’ll present in March of next year.

The Philo appointment is LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault’s attempt to revive a flagging brand, which has lost much of the buzz Michael Kors brought to the label as head designer from 1997 to 2004. After Kors, ex-Burberry designer Roberto Menichetti struggled for one year as head designer. He was succeeded by Ivana Omazic, who Philo will now replace.

Further proving his determination to turn Celine from a break-even business into a booming one, Arnault is also appointing a new CEO, moving Marco Gobbetti over from Givenchy in October. So when Fashion Week rolls around again in February, expect Celine to be one of the most anticipated shows.